Stencil moistening machine and stencil therefor



Aug. 4, 1936. H. P. ELLIOTT 2,049,537

STENCIL MOISTENING MACHINE AND STENCIL THEREFOR Filed oct. 5", 1954 s sheets-sheet 1 STENCIL MOISTENING MACHINE AND STENCIL THEREFOR Filed Oct. 5, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 v/fa /54 /6 2 @son 40 ug. 4, 1936. H. P, ELLIOTT STENCIL MOISTENING MACHINE AND STENCIL THEREFOR Filed Oct. 5, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Aug. 4, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE sTENcIL MoIs'rENING MACHINE AND s'rENolL THEREFOR 31 Claims.

'Ihis invention relates to a machine for moistening stencils and especially stencils that are used in connection with addressing machines.

A stencil that is used with addressing machines comprises a stiif rectangular frame, usually of paper, having a window'therein which is traversed by a stencil sheet that is adapted to bear the address or other printing data. 'I'he stencil sheet is usually composed of yoshino paper or other porous ink permeable material and is covered at least on one side with an ink impervious coating that is adapted to be moistened to render it soft so that the coating can be cut or broken by the type characters of a typewriting machine or the like in forming the address or the like on the stencil so as to permit ink to be forced through the stencil sheet at the cut-awayportions of the coating.

A stencil moistening machine constructed in accordance with my invention is arranged to advance successive stencils from a pile of stencils into and out of moistening position, in which moistening position the opposite surfaces of the stencil sheet are forcibly engaged by a moist belt, a portion of which dips into a water containing receptacle. A successful stencil moistening machine involves the satisfactory solution of a number of problems peculiar to the machine and occasioned to a considerable extent by the necessary use of water in the machine. The stencils are adapted to be fed in successive order from the bottom of a vertical stack of stencils. If the lowermost stencils are successively advanced from the stack by a reciprocating pusher that is slidable in guide-ways, as is customary in addressing machines, the sliding parts are apt to rust and cause the pusher to bind or at least to hinder its free operation. Hence an object of the present invention is the provision in a stencil moistening machine of a pusher that is free from sliding or rubbing parts and comprises a pivoted reciprocating frame that engages the successive lowermost stencils and advances them to the moistening position. The frame also is so arranged that in its advancing movement it raises the stack so as to remove the weight of the stack from the advancing stencil and thereby permit it to advance freely.

The stencilmoistening machine is usually operated by a girl and hence the mechanism should have no exposed moving parts in which a sleeve or other part of the dress of the operative may be caught. Hence a further object of the in.- vention is in reciprocating mechanism for the pusher that comprises an operating shaft adapted to be continuously rotated, the shaft having a wabble plate or cam plate angularly ixed thereto that engages the reciprocating pusher, the plate being so shaped as to eect the reciprocation of the pusher in the desired manner.

The stencil is advanced between upper and lower passes of an endless water absorbent belt that is intermittently rotated through the water in a receptacle, that portion of the belt in the receptacle passing under an adjustable belt tightener that keeps the belt taut. Itis a. further object of the invention to so arrange the belt tightenel` that the support and clamping means therefor are above the water in the receptacle so that these parts are not liable to rust.

A further object of the invention is to provide a construction whereby the water receptacle can be removed readily from the machine upon the withdrawal of the belt tightener.

A yet further object of the invention is the provision of rotatable means for compressing the upper and lower passes of the belt against the opposite faces of a stencil disposed therebetween and also for advancing the belt intermittently.

The thickness of different belts vary somewhat and ai. belt often becomes thinner after continued service. Hence anotherobject of the invention is the provision of automatic meansvfor compensating for the diierent thicknesses of wicks so that the compression pressure of the Wicks on the stencils will be approximately the same regardless of a variable thickness of wick. Preferably said means is adjustable so that the pressure can be varied at will.

A further object of the invention is a construction of a stencil moistening machine so arranged that the wicks can be removed from and replaced in the machine readily.

A stencil moistening machine is operated in conjunction with a typewriting machine. 'I'he moistening machine is operated to deliver a properly softened stencil and advance a stencil into moistening position. The operative takes the softened stencil and places it in the typewriting machine and types the address thereon While the second stencil is being softened. It is important, for speedy work that the moistened stencils be delivered properly, that is to say, top edge foremost and front face upward, so that the operative can position them in the typewriting machine without having to turn the stencil over.

Hence a further object of the invention is the provision of a stencil moistening machine having stencil advancing means in combination with a series of stencils, both so arranged that stencils can be delivered only when the stencils are positioned properly in the machine.

A specific object is a stencil having a notch in one edge thereof and a pusher having pusher feet of different lengths and so arranged that,

when the notch confronts the proper one of the pusher` feet, the stencil will be advanced but not when the notch is otherwise disposed.

An additional object of the inwention is the provision of a stencil moistening machine that is cheap in construction and reliable in operation.

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a stencil moistening machine embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the machine of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a sectional detail of the locking means for vthe belt tightener taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is 'a sectional detail taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 'I is a plan view of the platen or presser arm.

Fig. 8 is a sectional detail of the stencil holder and pusher taken along line 8--8 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the stencil holder and its supporting bracket, looking in the direction of the arrows 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a detail of the stencil fholder and pusher illustrating the manner in which the pusher supports the stack of stencils in elevated position while supporting the lower stencil.

Fig. 11 is a perspective detail of the belt tightener.

Fig. 12 is a sectional detail of a stencil adapted for use in connection with the machine of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a perspective detail of the pusher.

Fig. 14 is a plan detail of the stencil track and pusher illustrating the relation between the pusher and a properly positioned stencil.

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 14 and illustrating the action of the pusher on an improperly positioned stencil.

Fig. 16 is an end view of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a perspective detail oi' a modification of the stencil holder and pusher wherein the pusher is provided with toes of equal length.

The stencil moistening machine of the present invention is adapted to moisten the stencil sheets of stencils I6 constructed generally as illustrated in Fig. 12. The stencil is provided with a stift rectangular frame i8 bounding a window 20 `which is traversed by a stencil sheet 22 composed of yoshino paper or other ink permeable material and having at least on one face thereof an ink impervious coating, not shown, that is adapted to be softened by moistening with water so that it is yielding enough to be cut through by the characters of a typewriting machine or the like to form the stencil characters.

The stencil moistening machine comprises a pair of horizontally spaced vertical side plates 24 and 26 connected in spaced relation in the middle portions thereof by a spacing rod 28, see Figs. 1 and 3, secured in position by screws 30 which pass through said plates and are screw-threaded in the ends of said rod. The side plates at the bottoms thereof have outstanding ears 32 and the plates are additionally secured together by cross plates 34 which underlie said ears and are secured thereto by shoulder screws 36, said screws also securing soft rubber discs 88 to said plates, which discs form the supports or feet for the machine.

An anvil carrying plate 40 having a width that 5 approximates the width of the space between said side plates is disposed between said plates at the top thereof and is secured removably thereto by removable pins 42 and 44 which pass through sets oi spaced ears 46 at the opposite ends of said plate and through corresponding ears 48 of the side plates. The pins are .removably retained in the ears 48 as by providing the pins with bifurcated ends 56, see Fig. 6, so that the ends are a push fit in one of the side plates, whereby the anvil carrying plate can be removed readily to gain access to the belt. Belt supporting rolls 52 and 54 are loosely journaled on the -pins 42 and 44 between the sets of ears 46.

A platen arm 56, see especially Figs. 1, 3, and 7, 20 is located beneath the anvil carrying plate and at one end is provided with a pair of horizontally spaced ears 58 through which a pivot rod 60 is extended, the rod being secured to the platen arm by a set screw 62, see Fig. '1, and Ybeing loosely 25 journaled in and readily removable from the side plates 24 and 26. The platen at the end opposite its pivotal support, is provided with a belt guide 63.

The platen is reciprocated by operating mech- 30 anism that includes a rotatable shaft 64 journaled in both side plates 24 and 26 and while at the front end of the machine is provided with a crank handle 66. A drum 68 is fixed to said shaft between the side plates and is provided with 35 front and rear outstanding flanges 10 and 12 respectively. The platen arm 56 is provided with a depending ear 14 carrying a roller 'I6 that rides upon the flange 12. Said ange is provided with a raised or cam portion 18 that is adapted to elevate thev platen to bring the belt into engagement with a stencil, as will be 'described hereinafter.

An endless absorbent belt 80, preferably a woven fabric belt, approximately as wide as the stencil sheet 22 of the stencil, is passed about the idler rolls 52 and 54 and under the anvil carrying plate 40 and over the platen arm 56 between which platen 40 and arm 56 the upper and lower passes a and 80h of the belt are close together and receive between them the successive stencils.

A part of the belt loops into a water containing receptacle 82 disposed between the side plates 24 and26 and having its front end resting upon one ofthe plates 34 and its rear end resting upon separate shelves 84 of the side plates. The re- 55 ceptacle is not secured positively in the aforesaid relation and is readily removable when desired after raising the receptacle above the low retaining ledges 85. l

The loop of the belt that is disposed within the receptacle passes around a semi-cylindrical lateral extension 86 of a belt tightener arm 88, the upper end of which is located above the receptacle and has a laterally projecting pin 88 that is pivotally received in the side plate 26. The arm 88 is also providedvwith a sector 92 that confronts the inner face of said side plate and has an elongated slot 84 therein through which a bolt 96, see especially Fig. 5, passes, the bolt being carried by the side plate 26 `and so arranged as to clamp the 70 sector against the side plate by the wing nut 98, whereby to secure the arm in any adjusted position and maintain the belt taut.

The belt passes between the aforesaid drum 68 and a cooperating platen roll or drum |80 which 75 is disposed between the side plates 24 and 26 in the horizontal plane of the drum 64 and is carried by a shaft |02, the ends of which are loosely journaled in horizontal slots |04 of said side plates, see especially Figs. 1 and 3, the slots having side entrances |06 which permit the removal of the shaft with its roll from the space between the side plates. The roll is constantly vurged toward the drum 64 by a pair of levers |08, each pivoted on a screw I |0 removably screw-threaded in the separate side plates above the slots |04.

Said levers extend downwardly over the outer faces of the side plates and the lower ends are connected to similar ends of tension springs |I2, the other ends of which are fixed -to the side plates. The arrangement is such that the springs through the leverage provided by the levers |06 exert substantial pressure on the roll |00 tending to urge it constantly toward.. the cooperating drum 64. The drum and roll are geared together by intermeshing gears ||4 and H6, the length of the teeth of which is such that the drum and roll are in constant engagement irrespective of displacement of the roll.

The drum and roll are caused to advance the belt intermittently and to this end the drum 64 is provided with a raised arcuate portion ||8 that at times pinches the belt between it and the roll |00, thereby effecting the advance of the belt. The length of said arcuate portion is such as to cause it to advance the belt by an amount suiiicient to present a fresh portion of the belt to each of the successive stencils. The diameter of the drum 64 at the raised portion I |8 is substantially equal to the diameter of the roll |00 so that the belt is caused to advance without objectionable slipping on the drum and roll. The remaining peripheral portion of the drum 64 is of reduced diameter so that when such portion confronts the roll |00 the drum is free from driving engagement with the belt, the roll being restrained from movement into engagement with the low part of the drum 64 by engagement of its supporting shaft |02 with the bottoms of the recesses |04. The drum 64 and roll |00 also constitute wringing means that express surplus water from the belt, the excess water falling into the tank 32 which is disposed under the engaging portions of the drum and roll.

The stencils to be moistened are adapted to be contained in a vertical pile in a holder carried by the rear side plate 24 and the successive lowermost stencils of the pile are adapted to be advanced forwardly horizontally into the space between the upper and lower passes 80a and 60h respectively of the belt. The stencils arel supported in their advancing movement on a pair of rails |20 that overlie and are supported upon rearwardly extended brackets |22 of the side Wall 24 and extend forwardly toward and beyond the front side plate 26 and under and close to the top pass 80a of the belt, the rails having confronting guide grooves |23 for the stencils.

The stencil holder comprises a pair of vertical channel members |24 resting upon the rails |20 l over the brackets I 22 and secured to said rails and brackets by screws |26. The lowermost stencil of the pile normally rests in the track provided by the rails |20 and the front sides |24a of the holder channels have their lower edges terminated just above the top of the lowermost stencil so that the front sides retain all except the lowermost stencil against advancing movement as the lowermost stencil is pushed forwardly along the rails. l

The stencils are advanced in successive order from the holder by a pusher frame |23 having vertical arms |30 that are fixed at their lower ends to a cross shaft |32, see especially Fig. 4, that is journaled in ears |34 of the side plate 24. The frame at the upper end is provided with a pair of pusher feet |36 and |31 having toe portions |38 and |39 respectively that are adapted to engage the rear edge of the lowermost stencil only of the pile and advance it forwardly along the track as the pusher frame is moved forwardly toward the side plate 24. I'he pusher frame is so disposed with respect to the stencil track, being pivoted about in the line of the vertical axis of the stack, that the pusher feet, and especially the heel portions |40, rise as they pass across the bottom of the stencil holder and thereby raise the pile of stencils in the holder in the manner illustrated in Fig. 10, whereby to remove the weight of the pile of stencils from the lowermost advancing stencil. 'I'he pusher feet are disposed inline with the side members of. the holder cliannels |24 and said members at the bottom edges thereof are provided with recesses |42, see especially Figs. 8 and 10, in which said pusher feet are adapted to operate. A

-heavy plate |44 rests freely upon the top of the pile of stencils to insure positive delivery of stencils especially at times when there are but a few stencils in the holder and said plate is provided with channels |46 in its lower face in'which said pusher feet are adapted to reciprocate when said plate is close thereto.

Each forward stroke of the pusher frame moves .a stencil from the holder into position between the upper and lower passes 80a and 80h of the belt and on the succeeding operation of the pusher the moistened stencil is advanced by the next advancing stencil out of moistening position and upon -an inclined delivery plate |48 secured to the front ends of the stencil rails and upon which the .moistened stencil is delivered into a position convenient for removal by an operative.

The pusher is reciprocated by a wabble plate or cam disc |50 which is fixed to the operating shaft 64 at an inclination with respect to the diameter thereof so that as said shaft is rotated the top portion of the plate, that is to say, the successive portions of the plate that are successively on top as the plate is rotated, is caused to move backwardly and forwardly. The pusher frame is provided with a horizontal Across bar |52 having a cam folower |54 swiveled therein and provided with a slot |56 in which the periphery of the wabble plate is loosely located so that the plate causes the pusher to reciprocate as the plate is rotated. The peripheral edge of the plate is so shaped that the side faces thereof are parallel with the sides of the slot |56 in any displaced position of the pusher.

The belts 00 vary somewhat in thickness and a 60 belt that has been used for some time is thinner than a new belt. Hence means are provided to compensate for the varying thicknesses of the belts. Said means consists in an anvil |58 that is independent of 'the anvil plate 40 and is disposed under said plate and over the top pass of the belt and is connected loosely to said plate by screws |60, the heads of which are located above the plate. A fiat spring |62 pivotally connected with the plate 40 by the screw |64 bears upon the heads of the screws and thus urges the anvil plate toward the platen, the amount of movement of the anvil plate being limited, however, by the heads of the screws |60. The pressure exerted by the platen 65 is thus taken by the spring |62 so that the pressure can be made substantially constant regardless of variations in belt thickness. The pressure can be adjusted by varying the settings of the screws |80 and also by substituting different spring plates |32 of different resiliencies.

The operation of the machine'is simple.

The platen 56 is in its lowermost position at the time the pusher frame reciprocates forwardly to advance a stencil into position between the anvil and platen and the upper and lower passes of the belt. Continued rotary movement of the operating shaft 64 causes the platen to be elevated to press the passes of the moist belt against the opposite faces of the stencil sheet of the stencil.

Further rotation of the shaft causes the lowering of the platen and the pinching of the belt between the high portion ill of the drum il and the drum |00 thereby advancing the belt and presenting fresh moist surfaces for the next stencil. The pusher also advances during a part of the advancing movement of the belt and delivers a second stencil into moistening position, at the same time pushing the moistened stencil out of moistening position and upwardly along the plate Il.. The action is repeated for each stencil.

The moistening machine is'usually positioned beside the typewriting machine 4with which the operative writes the addresses in the softened stencils and the manner of operating usually is to remove a moistened stencil from the moistening machine and cut the address while a succeeding stencil ls being softened between the belt of theV moistening machine.

For speedy work in addressing the stencils it ls desirable that the moistened stencil be delivered on the delivery plate |48 in such position that it can be removed and placed in the typewriting machine with the minimum of manipulation. Since the stencil is positioned in the typewriting machine front face forward and top edge up it is desirable that the stencils be deposited upon the delivery plate of the moistening machine front face up and top edge forward as in this disposition, they can be picked up and transferred to the typewriting machine without changing the grasp of the fingers on the stencil. Hence the stancils and the moistening machine are so arranged that the stencils will be ad' vanced from the holder only when the stencils are properly positioned in the holder, that is to say, when they are all face up and top edge forward in the holder. To this end the bottom edge |56, see Figs. 12, 14 and 15, of each stencil is formed with a notch |68 therein in that part confronting and adapted to be engaged with one of the feet of the pusher. The pusher feet, furthermore, are made of unequal length, the pusher toe |39 being longer than the othertoe ISS-by the depth of the notch |68. With this arrangement when the notch confronts the long toe, both toes will engage the edge of the stencil at the same time and hold it square with the stencil track so that it can be advanced along the track.I When, however, a stencil is reversed in position, so that the notch does not register with the long toe, the long toe engages the stencil first,

' if the 4pusher adjustment is such that the long toe clears the edge of the stencil in its complete retracted position, and on advancing the stencil, cramps it in the track, as illustrated in Fig. 15, so that it can not advance. The preferred adjustment of the pusher is such that the toes just clear the rear or bottom edges of the stencils when they are properly positioned in the holder. Hence when a stencil is improperly positioned in the holder with its notched edge not in line with the long toe, the stencil will rest upon the long toe and either the stencil will be held above the short toe, so that the pusher will reciprocate without engaging the stencil or, usually. the s stencil will cant and while the short toe may engage the stencil it will cramp it in the track as has been explained above, or the stencil will be caught between the long toe and the bottom edge of the front side |244 of the stencil holder 1o channel |24, so that the stencil will be held from advance. With this arrangement the operative is careful to position the stencils properly in the holder so that they can be delivered in position for speedly addressing. If the notch in the 15 stencil is eliminated and the pusher toes are of equal length, such as the toes Ilia and lila of Fig. 17, the mechanism will advance stencils in either obverse or reverse positions.

I claim:

1. A stencil moistening machine comprising stencil guiding and supporting means, a water absorbent belt, means to press the belt and the successive stencils into engagement, and belt advancing mechanism including a rotary shaft, belt 25 engaging drums at least one of which is rotated by said shaft, and means for effecting intermittent driving engagement between said belt and said drums.

2. A stencil moistening machine comprising 30 stencil guiding and -supporting means, a water absorbent belt, means to press the belt and the successive stencils into engagement, and belt advancing mechanism including a rotary shaft, belt engaging drums at least one of which is 35 rotated by said shaft, and means for effecting intermittent driving engagement between said belt and said drumsksaid means including raised and depressed portions on one of said drums.

3. A stencil moistening machine comprising stencil guiding and supporting means, a water absorbent belt, means for pressing said belt and successive stencils in engagement, belt advancing mechanism including cooperating driving drums between which said belt is located, one of said 4r drums having a raised belt-driving section, means for urging one of said drums towards the other, and means for rotating one of said dnuns.

4. A stencil moistening device comprising guidingand supporting means for the stencils, a water absorbent belt, means for pressing said belt and successive stencils into engagement, and means for advancing said belt in an intermittent manner comprising a rotatable driving drum having a peripherally-raised driving section adapted for intermittent engagement with said belt, an idler roll supporting said belt, spring means for urging said idler roll toward said driving drum, and means for limiting the movement of said idler roll toward said driving drum.

5. A stencil moistening machine comprising stencil guiding and supporting means, a water absorbent belt, means to press said beit and successive stencils into engagement, and driving mechanism for said belt comprising a pair of g5 side frames, a shaft journaled in said side frames,

a driving drum fixed to said shaft between said side frames and having a raised belt driving sector, an idler drum cooperating with said driving drum located between said side plates and hav- 70 ing a shaft received removably in open ended slots in said side plates, and spring means retaining said shaft in said slots and urging said idler drum toward said driving drum.

6. A stencil moistening machine comprising vsuccessive stencils engagement, means for-4 .i y advancing saidv belt'intermittently, means for advvancing successive stencils along said guiding and stencil guiding and supporting means, a water absorbent belt, means to press said `beltanci successive stencils intov engagement, and driving mechanism for said belt comprising a pair of side frames, a shaft journaled in said side frames, a driving drum iixed to said shaft between said side frames and having a raised belt driving sector, an idler drum cooperating with said driving drum located between said side plates and having a shaft received removablyin open ended slots in said side plates, and spring means retaining said shaft in said slots and urging said idler drum toward said driving drum, said spring means comprising levers pivoted to said side plates and bearing against said shaft and springs acting on said levers in a direction to urge said shaft and said idler roll toward said driving drum.

7. A stencil moistening machine comprising stencil guiding and supporting means, a water absorbent belt, means to press said belt and successive stencils together, means to advance said belt intermittently, and means to advance successive stencils along said guiding and supporting means comprising a vertical frame, pivotal supporting means for the lower end of said frame, said frame at its upper end having stencil engaging and moving means, and mechanism for reciprocating said frame.

8. A stencil moistening machine comprising a stencil track, a water absorbent belt, means to press said belt and successive stencils into engagement, mechanism for advancing said belt intermittently, a stencil holder adapted to contain a vertical pile of stencils above said track at one end thereof, and mechanism for advancing the successive lowermost stencils of said holder along said track to the engagement of said belt comprising a vertical reciprocating pusher frame located below said holder, pivotal supporting means for the lower end of said frame, the upper end of said frame having pusher feet provided with toes engageable with the successive lowermost stencils only of the holder, said pusher being so arranged that said feet rise in traversing the holder to advance the lowermost stencil therein so as to pass under and elevate the stack of stencils above the advancing stencil, and means for reciprocating said frame.

9. A stencil moistening machine comprising guiding rails constituting a stencil track, a water absorbent belt, means for pressing said belt and successive stencils into engagement, means for advancing said belt intermittently, a stencil holder located above said track at one end thereof adapted to contain a vertical pile of stencils, said holder comprising a pair of vertical confronting channel members between which the pile of stencils is located, means for advancing the successive lowermost stencil of said holder along said track comprising a vertical pusher frame located below said holder, pivotal supporting means for the lower end of said frame, said frame at its upper end having pusher feet which are reciprocable between said rails, said feet having toes which are engageable with the successive lowermost stencils only of said holder, and heels which pass under and support said stencil stack out of contact with the advancing stencil, the side members of said holder channels having slots at the bottoms thereof in which said heels can operate, and means for reciprocating said frame.

l0. A stencil moistening machine comprising stencil guiding and supporting means, a water absorbent belt, means for pressing said belt and supporting means including a vertical pusher framev having a pivotal support for its lower end, 5 and operating mechanism for reciprocating said frame comprising a rotatable shaft, a wabble plate fixed to said shaft, and means operatively connecting said wabble plate and said pusher frame.

ll. A stencil moistening machine comprising stencil guiding and supporting means, a water absorbent belt, means for pressing said belt and successive stencils into engagement, means for advancingsaid belt intermittently, means `for 15 advancing successive stencils along said guiding and supporting means including a vertical pusher frame having a pivotal support for its lower end, and operating mechanism for reciprocating said frame comprising a rotatable shaft, a wabble 20 plate fixed to said shaft, and means operatively connecting said wabble plate and said pusher frame, comprising a block rotatable in said frame having a slot therein in which the periphery of said wabble plate is located.

12. A stencil moistening machine comprising a stencil track, a stationary anvil located above said track, a reciprocating platen located below said track, an endless water absorbent belt having upper and lower passes respectively above and below said track and between said anvil and platen, means for advancing said belt intermittently, means for reciprocating said platen to press the passes of said belt against successive stencils in said track, and means for advancing stencils in 35 a successive manner along said track to the engagement of said belt.

13. A stencil moistening machine comprising a stencil track, a stationary anvil disposed above said track, a reciprocable platen disposed below 40 said anvil and track, an endless water absorbent belt having upper and lower passes disposed respectively above and below said track and between said anvil and platen, means for advancing successive stencils along said track into and out of position between said belt passes, means for advancing said belt intermittently, and means for reciprocating said platen to press the passes of said belt against successive stencils, said reciprocating means comprising a rotatable operat- 5 ing shaft disposed beneath said platen and having a cam thereon, and a cam follower carried by said platen and coacting with said cam.

14. A stencil moistening machine comprising a stencil track, a stationary anvil located above said track, a reciprocating platen located beneath said track, an endless belt having upper and lower passes disposed respectively above and below said track between said anvil and platen, means for advancing said belt intermittently comprising an operating shaft, a drum rotatable therewith having a raised portion constituting a belt engaging and driving face, an idler roll between which and said drum said belt is pinched, and reciprocating 65. means for said platen comprising a cam flange forming a. part of said drum, and a cam follower carried by said platen and riding upon said flange. r

l5. A stencil moistening machine comprising a stencil track, a stationary anvil disposed above said track, a reciprocating platen disposed below said track, an endless belt having upper and lower passes on opposite sides of said track between said anvil and platen, means for advancing said belt intermittently comprising a continuously rotatable operating shaft, a driving drum rotatable therewith having a raised peripheral portion engageable with said belt, an idler roll betweenI which and said raised portion said belt is pinched, means operated by said shaft for reciprocating said platen, a pivoted pusher for advancing successive stencils along said track, and means for reciprocating said pusher comprising a wabble plate rotatable with said shaft and having` an operative connection with said pusher.

16. A stencil moistening machine comprising a stencil track, means for advancing successive stencils along said track, an endless water absorbent belt, means for pressing said belt and successive stencils together, means for advancing said belt intermittently, a water receptacle in which a loop of said belt is disposed, a belt tightener dependent within said receptacle and bearing against said belt, and pivotal supporting and clamping means for said belt tightener located exteriorly of said water receptacle.

17. A stencil moistening machine comprising a pair of horizontally spaced vertical side plates, a stencil track traversing the space between said plates, an anvil plate located in the space between said plates above said track, pins removably engaged with said side plates and the ends of said anvil plate, rollers on said pins, an endless belt having an upper pass extended over said rollers under said plate and above said track, means for pressing said belt and successive stencils into engagement, and means for advancing said belt intermittently. l

18. A stencil moistening machine comprising a pair of horizontally spaced vertical side plates, a stencil track which traverses the space between said plates, an anvil plate located between said side plates above said track, a presser arm disposed between said plates under said track and said anvil plate and having a pivotal connection at one end with said plates, an endless water absorbent belt having upper and lower passes disposed respectively above and below said track and between said anvil plate and platen arm, meansfor reciprocating said platen to press said belt passes and successive stencils together, means for advancing said belt intermittently, and means for advancing successive stencils along said track.

19. A stencil moistening machine comprising stencil guiding and supporting means, an endless water absorbent belt, means including a fiat anvil and platen to press said belt and successive stencils together, and means to exert a substantially constant pressure between said belt and stencils over the area o! said anvil and platen irrespective of the thickness of said belt.

'20. A stencil moistening machine comprising a stencil track, an anvil located above said track, a platen located below said track, an endless belt traversing said track, means to reciprocate said platen to press said belt and successive stencils together upon said anvil, and means to exert a substantially constant pressure between said belt and successive stencils, irrespective of variations in thickness of said belt, comprising a spring support for said anvil.

21. A stencil moistening machine as defined in claim 20 wherein said spring support for said anvil has means for adjusting the spring tension.

prising a pivoted frame having a free end movable in the line of movement of the stencil, said free end having a pair ofstencil-engaging toes positioned to engage an edge of the stencil near the corners thereof.

23. Stencil advancing mechanism comprising a stencil support, and a stencil pusher for advancing the stencil on said support, said pusher comprising an arm disposed mainly below the stencil, means providing a pivotal support for the lower end of said arm, the upper end of said arm having a pusher foot provided with a stencil engaging toe.

- 24. Stencil advancing mechanism comprising a holder for a vertical stack of stencils, and a stencil pusher for advancing the successive lowermost stencils laterally of said stack, said pusher comprising a vertical arm disposed mainly below said holder and having at its upper end a pusher foot provided with a heel and a toe adapted 20 to engage the edge of the lowermost stencil in the holder, pivotal supporting means for the lower end of said arm so disposed with respect to said holder that the swinging movement of said arms in advancing a stencil causes said 25 foot to rise under said holder whereby to elevate the pile of stencils above the advancing stencil.

25. Stencil advancing mechanism comprising a holder for a vertical stack of stencils, and a stencil pusher for advancing the successive low- 30 ermost stencils laterally oi.' the stack, said pusher comprising a pivoted arm having a swinging upper end that rises as it passes under the stack in engagement with the lowermost stencil and raises the pile on the advancing stencil.

26. A stencil moistening machine comprising stencil guiding and supporting means, a water absorbent belt, means to press the belt and the successive stencils into engagement, and stencil advancing means comprising a pusher `member having a pair of toes adapted to engage an edge of a stencil, one oi said toes being longer than said other toe.

27. A stencil moistening machine comprising stencil guiding and supporting means, a water absorbent belt, means to press the belt and the successive stencils into engagement, stencil advancing means comprising a pusher member having a pair oi toes adapted to engage an edge of a stencil, one otV said toes being longer than said other toe, and a stencil adapted for cooperation with said pusher having a notch in one edge that is adapted to receive said long toe.

28. A stencil moistening machine comprising a stencil support, a water absorbent belt, means to press the belt and successive stencils into engagement, a pusher for advancing a stencil on said support to said belt having a pair of stencil engaging toes engageable with an edge of the stencil, one of said toes being longer than the other toe, and a stencil cooperating with said pusher having a notch in the pusher-engaging edge thereof that confronts said long toe.

29. The combination of a stencil having a notch moistening machine having moistening means and a pusher for advancing the stencil to the action of said moistening means, said pusher having a pair of toes engageable with the pusherengaging edge of the stencil, one of said toes 70 being longer than the other by-approximately the depth of said notch and positioned to enter said notch.

30. The combination of a stenciland astencil moistening machine, said stencil having top and u when said stencil is properly positioned on said guiding and supporting means.

31. The combination of a stencil and a stencil pusher for advancing the stencil, both having cooperating parts that register to eiect the advance of the stencil when the stencil is in obverse position but are out of register and prevent the advance of an inverted stencil, said cooperating parts comprising a notch in the stencil and a projection of the pusher adapted to enter said 10 notch.

HARMON P. ELLIOTT. 

